Jury: Man drugged 1 of 2 slaying victims

TAMPA -- In online chats, Scott Schweickert left no doubt that he wanted to kidnap, subdue and rape a victim.

And he admitted to police that he had been present during the deaths of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz.

But the question posed to jurors Friday was whether Schweickert drugged the two victims before their deaths.

After six hours, jurors returned a mixed verdict. They found Schweickert, 41, guilty of conspiring with his accomplice, Steven Lorenzo, to distribute GHB, a central nervous system depressant. Schweickert also was found guilty of drugging Wachholtz.

However, the jury acquitted Schweickert of charges of giving GHB to Galehouse. He faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Porcelli said he was pleased. "Obviously, we would have hoped for guilty on all counts," he said.

The drug charges were not easy to prove. Galehouse's body has never been found, so it could not be tested for drugs. Wachholtz's body was so badly decomposed when it was found in the back of his Jeep Cherokee in an apartment complex, it was difficult to test.

The case has frustrated some gay activists, who criticized the Hillsborough County State Attorney for failing to file murder charges against Lorenzo and Schweickert. But that may change.

Assistant State Attorney Jalal Harb attended the majority of Schweickert's trial. And he was taking notes.